thats kind of funny really. i know its all speculation of what you are going to get for selling what ever, but if you speculate....$5 to $7 for a skunk pelt and suppose on average you may get close to an ounce of essence per skunk. At $15 per ounce, thats about $21 per skunk speculating an average...and most are dissapointed to catch a $21 skunk but happy to catch a $12 coon????

has anyone put a spray top on a bottle of 3% (Sams Club) hydrogen peroxide and misted the appropriate areas of a skunk? Do this to a dog that has been "skunked" and the smell goes away!

Same thing I was thinking NEbowhunter. Get a Bob Wendt video, he shows the best way to retrieve essence. Sometimes you can get close to 2 oz. out of one.

I don't mind skunks, skinned 2 yesterday. Pelt and essence sure help pay for the gas. Now my wife on the other hand is certainly not a fan, very effective birth control though.

Thanks for all the info and advice! It is much appreciated. Knowing that so many trappers out there do put up skunks and considering that I caught 2 more this morning, I guess its time for me to skin a skunk.

One quick question - how far around the anal glands do you skin?

As Dooger suggested, Bob Wendt's on The Cat Line shows in great detail how to extract the glands before skinning. I've never skinned a skunk in the past but, plan on it this year after watching his video. Do be careful around the mouth of the skunk they do tend to carry rabies.
Mark

Well, I bit the bullet and skinned out not one but 3 skunks on Sat. First one went off without a hitch. No problem. They actually skin quite easily. On the second skunk........I always pull the tail bone out before I hang the critter up. Well, as I was pulling the tail bone I inadvertantly applied some pressure, too much pressure, to the vent area, and.....PHEWEEEEEE!!!!! .......just glad I was wearing skinning gloves! The odor still went right through the gloves and onto my hands.

Needless to say I finished that skunk and then skinned the 3rd using extreme caution as I pulled the tail bone....LOL.......All windows and the door on my fur shed have been wide open since.

Very good.

Next time, even if you don't "milk" the skunk for the quill, go ahead and cut the glands out of the animal before you skin it. Once you have made the opening cuts in the pelt, the glands are easily removed. That will help you avoid any more mishaps.

-- Hal

Is there any way to get the esence out before you skin them? Just wondering